Hyperloop Construction Officially Begins In France — One Step Closer Towards The Future?

Hyperloop is a transportation system which uses pressurised tubes or tunnels to carry passengers in ‘pods or capsules'. The technology and physics involved help carry passengers at speeds up to 1200km/h. The four-metre diameter tube can carry both passenger and cargo in capsules.

The original idea behind hyperloop was brought forward in 2013 by Tesla and SpaceX founder and entrepreneur, Elon Musk. Since then, several companies followed suit. SpaceX has a 1.6km-long, 3.3m-diameter hyperloop testing facility in California.

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Other companies such as the Hyperloop One, owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, have also tested the transportation system. In December 2017, Hyperloop One recorded a speed of 386km/h in their 500m-long test facility in the Nevada desert. The tube diameter stood at 3.3m. However, it was HyperloopTT that has actually started the project in full-fledge.

"Five years ago we set out to solve transportation's most pressing problems; efficiency, comfort and speed. Today we take an important step forward to begin to achieve that goal", said HyperloopTT CEO, Dirk Ahlborn.

He also shared, "Hyperloop is more than just displays of rapid acceleration and more than just breaking speed records. The real opportunity is to create an efficient and safe system with an unparalleled passenger experience."

Hyperloop transportation is also coming to India in the not-so-distant future. HyperloopTT has already signed a MoU with the government of Andhra Pradesh to set up a facility in Amaravathi. This will be India's first hyperloop facility; extending to other major cities in phases.

A Mumbai-Pune route has also been proposed by Hyperloop One.

The proposed project will initially connect Amaravati with Vijayawada. Other means of transportation through this route would take an average of one hour. Through hyperloop, it can be reduced to just six minutes.

The funding for the project will involve private investors. When the project is finished, it will change the concept of transportation in India altogether, let alone Andhra Pradesh.

Thoughts On The Hyperloop Construction In France

Hyperloop is a good example which shows how much humanity has advanced over the years. Being able to travel long distances in such short span of time is something looked forward to by many. If implemented on a global scale, especially at places where traffic congestion is high, hyperloop can just be the ultimate solution.

Yesterday, we had steam engines. Today we have metros and bullet trains. Tomorrow we will have hyperloop. Imagine what could happen after that!